Change in Schedule

So its New Year's eve, and I am spending it sat in a PC Bang typing this blog. This year I really cannot bothered; I am overcome with an explicable sense of apathy towards the new year. Probably because:

1) I'm too tired and need to rest in order to prepare for my change in schedule (see below)
2)I have too much planning to do for next week's classes
3)I am so frustrated over the lack of furniture in my apartment, that I am going to buy a rug and some cushions to put in the living room area, and move the TV there too. That way, there is somewhere fairly comfortable to sit, without the expense of buying a sofa/arm chair. After that I will probably buy a plant and name it Fred. I refuse to buy anything expensive that I cannot take with me when I leave, plus I am here to save money. Knowing the Koreans, the shops will be open to accommodate my needs.
4) I want to really get my teeth into learning Korean
5) I made my resolution when I came out here, and it still applies, so it doesn't feel that special.

Lunchtime today saw heavy snowfall until 8pm. It was not until the evening that the snow remained on the ground, leaving a thin blanket with the promise of colder, more bitter weather until March. It's been years since I have seen such snowfall.

Yesterday and the day before my two Bosses informed me of my change in schedule. During the winter months some of the students are 'on vacation'from school, and so because the hagwons are private academies and exist in order to make money, the schedule has changed to when it is more convenient for the students to attend. Plus from this week onwards I have taken on the extra responsibility of tutoring Ye-Reem (my Gomdo teacher's daughter) in exchange for free Gomdo training and free lunch and/or dinner. In addition, as of next week, for about a month or so, I will be giving the Gomdo students a half hour English lesson as a favour, as my teacher has been very good to me (especially when I was extremely ill) and I want to give something back.

Thus, as of next week my schedule will be as follows:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri:

8.30am get out of bed
9.50am get on the bus.
10.30 English lesson for Gomdo students
10.50 Gomdo training.
11.30 free lunch with Gomdo teacher and black belts.
12pm Chung Top Hagwon, with NO BREAKS AS PER BLOODY USUAL
6.15 Free dinner prepared by Gomdo teachers wife, and tutor Ye-reem for 20 min (the length of her attention span.

Wednesdays:

7.30 emerge from my slumber
8.30 get in a taxi
9.00-3.30pm Toe-song hagwon (with 20 min coffee break, and 30min lunch break)
4.00 Gomdo training
5.00 Free dinner prepared by Gomdo teachers wife, and tutor Ye-reem for 20 min

When I see it written down, it doesn't seem that bad, but I know the amount of running around it takes to get from one place to the next, so in reality it's quite exhausting. Nonetheless, this way I will be saving money; free training, free lunch and dinner...yey!!!

I also discovered that my 24th/25th birthday falls on a Wednesday, which is simply fantastic, as I am at the nice academy on my birthday. The Koreans count the time spent in the womb as the first year of your life, so just as I think it is bad enough being 24 ie MID TWENTIES, they go and add another year. FABULOUS.